Bossing the Billionaire: Billionaire Brothers Kent - Ryder's Story (The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Series) (12 page)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“Your lover? He’s here in town? What the devil is he doing here?”
Ryder couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Blake had spoken as if this guy was
in her past but now he was here in Pequoia and what the heck did that mean?

“My fiancé, Ryder.” She shook her head. “My ex-fiancé. There’s
absolutely nothing between us.”

“Then why is he here?” Confused, as he spoke Ryder drew back and
away from Blake. He needed space, some air. He needed to think. “I thought you
said he didn’t know where you were.” As he watched her face his eyes narrowed.
“When you saw him in Dallas did you tell him?”

Blake glared at him. “Of course I didn’t. I’m trying to stay out of
his way, not invite him back into my life.”

That made him pause. He wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt
but he had to ask. “Are you sure?”

Eyes wide, Blake stared back at him and then she shook her head. “I
can’t believe you asked that. I told you about Jerome and what he did to me. I
told you it’s over between us.”

“Yes, you did. I’m sorry.” Ryder felt like the worst jerk. By way of
apology he took Blake’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “This just took me
by surprise, that’s all.”

She nodded. “Me, too. Can you imagine how I felt when he showed up
at Beaumont’s?”

“He actually came here?” Ryder couldn’t stop himself from frowning.

“He did. And before he left he promised to make life unbearable for
me. He said he wouldn’t stop until I left Pequoia with him. He’s going to keep
harassing me-”

“Not with me here, he’s not. Where is he?” Ryder was getting so
riled up he couldn’t stay still. He decided he’d better release Blake’s hand
before he crushed it in his agitation. He shoved both hands inside his pockets.

“I’m not going to tell you. I can handle this on my own.” Blake’s
mouth was set in a stubborn line that told Ryder she wasn’t planning on budging
any time soon.

“Why are you protecting him? I thought you wanted to get rid of this
jerk.” He pulled his hands out of his pockets and folded his arms across his
chest. He felt as jittery as a bug and this was the best way he knew to keep
his anger under control.

“I’m not protecting him.” By this time Blake’s glare was more like a
scowl.

“You could’ve fooled me. I can get rid of your problem once and for
all. Why won’t you let me?” There was more to this than Blake was letting on.
He could tell. He could read it in her eyes. There was a cloud of conflicting
emotions there, a storm that seemed to confirm his worst fears. Blake was
protecting her ex-lover because she still felt something for him. She’d denied
it but why else was she shielding him?

“Ryder, I don’t want you to get involved,” she began but he’d heard
enough.

“I’m already involved, dammit. Why are you protecting him?”

“It’s you I’m protecting, you idiot. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Ryder shrugged. “You don’t have to worry about me. I can handle
myself.”

“Not against a handgun, you can’t.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means I want you to stay the hell away from Jerome Slater. Ever
since I’ve known him I know he carries a gun. He says it’s for protection and
that may well be but I don’t want him using it in a fit of rage. I don’t want
you anywhere near him.”

Ryder was silent for a while and then he let out a puff of air, a
subtle sign of his frustration. “I guess I should thank you for the warning but
it actually makes me even more determined to get this guy out of town.”

Blake gave a grunt. “That makes two of us. But how do we get rid of
him?”

"That is the question…” Ryder’s voice trailed off as his mind
raced around the problem that this unwanted visitor posed. In the end he could
come up with only one conclusion. The best way to divest the man of his
exaggerated sense of confidence was for Blake to do what she should have done
from the get-go. She would have to put the matter in the hands of the
authorities. That would have him flying out of Pequoia so fast she’d only see
the trail of dust that he would leave behind.

But when Ryder said as much to Blake, thinking she would jump at the
chance to have the man gone, she hesitated.

“Um…let me think about how I’m going to do this.” Her face still,
she stared off toward the garden he’d made her out back.

“What’s there to think about? It’s as simple as making a police
report. They’ll take it from there.” When she didn’t immediately agree he
paused then shook his head. Blake was a mystery he could see he wasn’t going to
figure out any time soon.

He was just about to say so when she lifted her hand to touch him on
the arm. “Let’s go inside. You must be hungry after your long drive.” She
smiled. “I’ll fix your favorite, roast beef and mashed  potatoes. I’ll have it
done in no time.”

He remained quiet as they turned toward the house but she must have
guessed the direction of his thoughts because she gave a soft sigh and then she
spoke.

“When we get inside we’ll have a long talk,” she said, “and then
we’ll put this behind us once and for all.” 

***

Next morning Blake was up even earlier than usual, which was
surprising seeing that she’d gone to bed so late. After she’d made dinner for
Ryder they’d sat there and talked,  way into the night, and for a man who was
the reserved type and a woman who didn’t have much use for gab that was quite a
feat. It was like they didn't want the evening to end.

Ryder was just as surprised as she was. She could tell by the way he
paused from time to time and just gazed at her, a thoughtful look on his face.
It was hard to explain but there was just something between them, something
that clicked. It was more than just a physical attraction. It was a synergy
that made their thoughts flow like two streams that would meet and make one
river. It was a connection that soon had them finishing each other’s sentences.

The first time it happened Ryder laughed but then it happened again.
And again. And then it came so naturally that they no longer questioned it.

Before they’d reluctantly said their goodnights and headed off to
bed she’d heard so many stories about Ryder’s brothers, Ridge and Rafe and
Ransom, that she almost felt like she knew them. And, of course, she’d told him
about her mom and Becky. They each got an earful that night.

And before that they’d talked about how to deal with the Jerome
Slater situation. As much as she’d wanted to leave things alone for a bit longer
Ryder had convinced her it was time to make Jerome pay for his crime. And that
was what it was, plain and simple. She couldn’t keep skipping around the fact that
he’d committed a crime.

She’d made excuses, hiding behind the fact that on discovery he’d put
the money back. More than that, she’d hesitated to make any move simply because
of what they’d had. After they’d gone so far together, after she’d fallen in
love with him, after she’d trusted him he’d rewarded her with dishonesty and
deception and she couldn’t even think. All she could feel was shock and hurt
and pain…and if she should admit it to herself, shame.

How could she have been such a fool to put all her confidence in
him? How would she hold her head up if the world found out that she, a competent
and respected business owner, had fallen for that trick? It was bad enough that
her family knew but did her business colleagues have to find out, too?

But she’d hidden away long enough. It was time to take the bitter
medicine and make full disclosure. Time to go to the police.

Her mind finally made up, Blake felt infinitely better and there was
a spring in her step as she descended and made her way toward the kitchen. She
was stopped in her tracks when there was a knock at the front door. Immediately,
she changed direction and went to open it. When she saw Chris standing there
she smiled. “You’re out early today.” She stepped aside so he could enter.
“What gives?”

He shrugged. “I’m only like fifteen minutes early. I was up,
chillin' with some music, and then couldn’t get back to sleep so I just decided
to head on over.”

"And I don’t mind at all,” Blake said as she led the way to the
kitchen. “With all the mouths we have to feed we can do with an early start.”

“Don’t I know it.” Chris was already shrugging off his denim jacket
as he followed her.

Within another twenty minutes Todd had arrived and soon they’d
fallen into their daily rhythm, moving quickly and efficiently as they got
things ready before the restaurant opened. Then, just before opening time, the
kitchen door opened and Ryder walked in, looking newly shaved and smelling
fresh as morning.

“Hey, what are you doing up? I thought you’d sleep in this morning.”
Her hands full of pancake batter, Blake greeted him with a broad smile.

“And let these kids show me up? Not on your life. I’m up and
reporting for duty.” He straightened his back and clicked his heels together,
making them all laugh at his attempt at a military posture. “So what do you
need done? The eggs, the grits, what?”

“We’re good,” Blake told him, “but we could do with some help
getting the food out there. How about being our server today?”

He gave a curt nod and a crooked smile. “It would be my pleasure,
ma’am. Ryder Kent, at your service.”

Blake laughed again. “Will you stop? You’re cracking us up. Now go
get your hands washed and come right back.”

And so began one of the busiest mornings Blake had ever seen at
Beaumont’s. It was a good thing Ryder showed up when he did because, in
addition to the telephone crew, a government team of eleven turned up
unexpectedly. They’d been sent from the communications commission to ensure
that this new project underway in Pequoia was executed according to state
guidelines.

That morning they had little time to do anything but shout orders to
the kitchen crew, pile up the plates with breakfast food and deliver them to
the hungry hordes waiting to be served. At one point Blake felt sorry for Ryder
but all she could do was throw him an apologetic grin. They had him running
back and forth between kitchen and restaurant till she saw a faint film of
perspiration begin to bead his upper lip.

And then, as soon as the breakfast rush was over, they had to hurry
to get ready for the lunch hour. That ended up being another couple of hours of
non-stop rush and by the time three o’clock came around and it was all over
they were so exhausted that they each grabbed the nearest chair and collapsed
onto it.

Todd was the first to speak. “I hope those communications department
guys were only here for the day. If they show up again tomorrow we’ll be in big
trouble. I don’t think I can make eggs that fast again.”

Blake grimaced. “Sorry to disappoint you but one of them told me
they’ll be here at least three days. One down, two to go.

Chris groaned. “My feet hurt.”

Blake turned to him. “Your sister’s off for the summer, right? What
about asking her if she can help us out for the next couple of days?”

He looked doubtful. “She’s more the babysitter type but I’ll ask
her.”

“Thanks.” She sighed then slipped her feet out of her loafers and wriggled
her toes under the table. Then she glanced over at Ryder who was lounging in a
chair by the window. As she watched he was gazing out back at his now
flourishing garden.

“Hey, you,” she called out, drawing his attention over to where she
and the teenagers sat. “You’re pretty quiet over there. Still alive?”

He gave her a lazy smile. “Yeah, but I’m glad it’s over.”

“Hear, hear.” Todd was only too quick to agree and then he pushed
his chair back and got up.  “Well, it’s time for me to get going. I promised my
dad I’d help out at the store this evening.”

Blake shook her head. “You’re a busy guy. No rest for the weary,
right?”

He chuckled. “Right.”

“Wait for me,” Chris said as he got up. “Mom asked me to pick up
some stuff from the supermarket. She said she gave your dad her list
yesterday.”

“Yeah, sure. Come on.” The two boys bid their goodbyes and then they
were off, leaving Ryder and Blake still relaxing. Neither one of them moved an
inch.

They sat there, enjoying the silence, such a contrast to the frenzy
of the earlier part of the day. It was a moment before either one of them
spoke.

“Remember that business you have to take care of,” Ryder said, his
look pointed.

Blake sighed. “I know, but it’s better for me to do this in Dallas.
I’ll get ready and head out right now.”

“Not without me,” Ryder said. “I’ll drive.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Within forty minutes of their conversation Blake was sitting in the
passenger seat of Ryder’s SUV. They had a long drive ahead of them and Ryder
planned to make it to Dallas and back before midnight. The restaurant would be
expected to open as usual at seven o’clock next morning so they didn’t have a
minute to waste.

He’d stuck the key in the ignition and was just about to start the
car when he stopped and frowned. Something was not right. There was something
he was forgetting…

He dug into the right back pocket of his trousers and then the left.
“My wallet. Where the heck is it?”

Blake’s lips curled in a smile. “You’d better run back inside and
get it. I don’t plan on washing anybody’s dirty dishes if we run out of gas
along the way.”

He chuckled. “Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing if that
happened.” He shook a finger at her. “Payback for what you did to me.”

She laughed and held out the key to the building. “You deserved it.”

He didn’t bother to answer that. He grabbed the key, got out of the
car and headed off to the restaurant. He knew exactly where he’d left his
wallet. He remembered dropping it on top of the chest of drawers in his
bedroom. But when he got there, there was no wallet in sight. Ryder gave a hiss
of annoyance. Just what he needed – something to hold them up when they were in
a huge hurry.

Moving quickly, he glanced around the bedroom then went to lift up the
baseball cap he’d left on the chair, the book on the nightstand and the T-shirt
he'd dropped on top of the bed. Nothing. He dropped to his knees and checked
under the bed. Still nothing.

Growing even more annoyed, he walked out of the bedroom and down the
hallway. When he threw open the bathroom door there it was, black and bulky and
stuffed with papers. His wallet was sitting comfortably on top of the counter
by the sink with not a care in the world. Ryder grabbed it up and stuffed it
into his back pocket. “Stupid wallet,” he mumbled. “You just cost me a good
four or five minutes.”

He pulled the bathroom door shut and loped toward the stairs. He
went down the steps two at a time and within seconds was crossing the wide dining
room and heading toward the front door.

It was when he was reaching for the knob that he heard it. Something
that made him freeze. It was a man’s voice, a voice that he did not recognize.

“Are you ready to be sensible?” the man said, his tone irritated and
impatient. “You don’t belong in this godforsaken place. You belong with me. Why
are you fighting this?”

Ryder had heard enough. There was only one man who would be asking
Blake a question like that. It had to be that Jerome guy she’d told him about.
He swung the door open and stepped out onto the porch, eyes narrowed as his
gaze zoned in on the target of his disgust and ire.

Immediately, two pairs of eyes swung in his direction, Blake’s
flashing dark ones and another set, pale blue and cold and hard.

“Who the hell is that?” the man asked as he swung away from where
Blake stood by the Mercedes Benz. He looked like he’d been just about to reach
for her but Ryder’s sudden appearance put a stop to that.

“Don’t you worry about that,” Ryder said. “If you know what’s good
for you, you’ll get off this property right now.”

The man’s scowl darkened and he turned to face Ryder, his hands
clenched at his sides. “Who the devil do you think you are, talking to me like
that?”

“The name’s Ryder. Ryder Kent. And you are?” Ryder didn’t need any
introductions to know who the man was. He just wanted to get him talking,
distract him enough so he could move in closer.

Jerome’s frown deepened. “Ryder Kent? I know that name…” And then
his eyes widened. “
The
Ryder Kent? The owner of the biggest dairy brand
in North America? You’re that Ryder Kent?”

“The same.” Ryder’s response was brusque. He gave short shrift to
Slater’s sudden change of tone. The man was easily impressed by money, that
much was obvious. But that made him sink even lower in Ryder’s eyes. He crossed
the porch and went down the steps then walked right up to the man who was
staring up at him. Slater wasn’t a big man. He actually looked smaller than
Blake. Still, there was a shifty look in his eyes that told Ryder he was not to
be trusted. “I’ve answered your question,” he said. “Now it’s time for you to
answer mine. What are you doing on Blake’s property when she clearly doesn’t
want you here?”

“I…” Slater swallowed and glanced over at Blake who was staring at
Ryder, a look of surprised confusion on her face. “It’s okay that I’m here.
Right, Blake?”

She blinked and then she turned to fix a caustic glare on the man.
“No, it’s not okay. I want you gone.”

“You heard the lady.” Ryder took a step closer to Slater and the man
took a matching step back. “I suggest you get back in your car and leave.” When
the man hesitated Ryder's scowl darkened and he folded his arms across his
chest. “You know who I am,” he said, his voice soft and menacing, “and you know
I have the power to make your life very miserable. Don’t make me go there.”

“N…no, Mr. Kent. I’m…leaving.” He backed away and when he was at a
safe distance he turned and hurried off to his hunter-green Buick. He glanced
back only once and it was to throw a furious glare at Blake. He didn’t stop,
though, not until he’d climbed into his car and started the engine and then
turned the car with a screech of tires, slammed on the gas and tore out of the
yard, the car kicking up a cloud of dust as he went.

It was only when the car had disappeared down the road that Blake
walked over to where Ryder stood, still fuming.

“What was that all about?” she asked. “That thing about a dairy
business or brand or something like that?”

His eyes still glued on the road, Ryder shook his head. “We’ll talk
about that later. We’ve got a heck of a journey ahead of us and that just cost
us another ten minutes.” He lifted his chin toward the SUV. “Let’s get out of
here.” 

***

“Name?”

“Blake Beaumont.”

“Address?”

“Do you want my current residence or my permanent address?”

The bristle-haired, blue-shirted officer gave her a look that told
her it didn’t matter a hoot to him. “I’ll give you my address in Pequoia,” she
said. “That way you can find me easier.”

He shrugged then wrote down the address as she gave it to him.
“Phone number?” Pen poised above the paper, he waited for her to give him the
information so he could complete the form.

“I don’t have one. At least, not one that will work when I get back
home.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“We don’t have phone service in Pequoia but we will soon. The phone
company is setting up the poles as we speak."

The man gave a grunt like he didn’t quite believe her but he
completed the preliminaries then carefully took her statement, a process that
took the better part of an hour. When it was finally over Blake sighed,
exhausted from having to relive the ordeal, if even just on paper.

She was glad she had Ryder with her. Through it all he never left
her side and when it was over and they were walking back to the car he slid his
arm around her waist and pulled her close, letting her rest her head against
his shoulder. It was what she needed right then, to draw from his strength. It
was the best thing he could have done and she was grateful.

When they settled in the car she turned to him. “I know it’s later
than we expected but would you mind if I still went by to see Mom and Becky,
just for a little bit? I can’t come all the way to Dallas and not go see them.”

“Of course. I’d be surprised if you didn’t.” Ryder reached over and
gave her a reassuring pat on the leg. “Just give me the address and I’ll have
you there in a jiffy.”

Relieved, she relaxed back into her seat and smiled. “Thanks.” It
was a word full of meaning. She was thanking him for so many things. He’d been
there for her in more ways than one. She couldn’t even begin to repay him.

It was almost eight o’clock when they got to Blake’s family home. As
they pulled into the driveway she saw when Becky drew back the curtains and
peeked out, then her eyes lit up and her face split into a wide smile. “Mom,
they’re here,” she yelled and then the curtains fell back in place as she
dashed off to the front door. Blake laughed. She was just as eager to see her
sister. She couldn’t wait to wrap her up in a huge bear hug.

She’d called home as soon as she’d left Pequoia and got a cell phone
signal. When she told Becky she was on her way to Dallas her little sister gave
a shriek that almost burst her eardrum. Her mother was almost as bad.

And now she was here. It made her almost glad she’d had to come to
Dallas for that awful business. At least it was a chance to see her family.

Before she could get out of the vehicle Becky was bounding down the
steps. Blake had just enough time to open the passenger door, slip out and hold
her arms open wide. Becky barreled right into her, almost knocking her over.

“Blake,” she squeaked, “you’re here. What took you so long?”

Blake gave her sister a squeeze and then she put her away and stared
down into her excited face. “Hey, Squirt, you’ve been growing again. Don’t you
know you’re not supposed to be growing up without me?”

Becky laughed at her teasing. “You haven’t been gone that long.”

Blake gave her a playful chuck under the chin and then she turned
her toward Ryder who had gotten out of the car and was observing the sisterly greeting,
a look of amusement on his face. “Becky, this is Ryder Kent, my escort for
today and my…friend.” Blake had no idea why she’d stumbled on the word friend.
It was like saying it out loud made her think about what it really meant.
Friend. Ryder was all that and so much more. “Ryder, this is Becky, my little
sis.”

“Pleased to meet you, Becky.” Ryder gave her an easy smile that had
the young girl blushing and smiling back shyly.

Blake glanced up and saw her mother peering through the window.
“Come on, guys. We haven’t got all night.” She set off for the house, leaving
Ryder and Becky to bring up the rear. She knew this would have to be a
super-quick visit. Ryder had several hours of driving ahead of him and she
didn’t want to be the cause of an extended delay.

As soon as she stepped onto the porch, Rosie flung the door open
wide. “Blake.” She held her arms open and Blake stepped right into them, happy
to be holding her mother again. Maybe it was the emotion of the moment, brought
on by the strain of having to rehash Jerome’s deception. She found herself
clinging to her mother like she would never let go.

Trying hard not to break down Blake released her mother and stepped
back then turned to Ryder who had come to stand just behind her. She forced a
smile. “Mom, I’d like you to meet Ryder-”

“Yes, the young man you wrote me about. Your friend.” Rosie lifted
her hand to shake Ryder’s.

“Mom.” Blake rolled her eyes. Did she have to go and say all that?
What must Ryder be thinking now? Quickly, before her mother got it into her
head to reveal anything else, Blake changed the subject. “I finally did it,
Mom. The statement is in. Now let the chips fall where they may.”

“Good girl.” Rosie gave her a congratulatory pat on the arm even as
she ushered them into the house. “You should have done it a long time ago but better
late than never.” Then she smiled back at Ryder. “I hope you like roast beef
because that’s what I fixed you for dinner.” Then she gave her daughter a not-so-subtle
wink and all Blake could do was sigh. So much for not wanting Ryder to find out
she’d written and told her mother all about him.

After that they sat down to a delicious meal, albeit a quick one,
and much too soon and to her regret, Blake had to bring it all to an end. “We’ve
got a long drive ahead of us,” she explained, “and I’ve got to open the
restaurant tomorrow.”

“I know, dear, and I’m sorry I was such a chatterbox this evening.” Rosie
gave Ryder an indulgent smile. “You forgive me, don’t you?”

He reached out and patted her hand. “There’s nothing to forgive. I
enjoyed every minute of it.”

“And I enjoyed having you here.” And from the way she spoke, Blake
could tell that her mother liked Ryder. A lot. That was definitely a good sign.
But then, when it came to Ryder, what wasn’t there to like?

Later, as they traveled along the highway that would take them back
to southwest Texas, Blake couldn’t help but smile. Just before they’d gone
through the door her mother had pulled her back to whisper in her ear. “This
one’s the real deal,” she said softly. “A true gentleman. If you two choose to
go further I give you my blessing.”

Blake knew exactly what her mother meant. When Rosie first met
Jerome she’d found him charming but still she’d hesitated. She hadn’t quite
come out and said it but Blake could sense her ambivalence. This time, though,
there was clearly no question in her mother's mind. As far as she was
concerned, Ryder was ‘the one’.